Building a central vascular access device registry in an adult intensive care unit: feasibility study

Abstract

Central venous access devices (CVADs), including peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs), are required to provide vascular access for the majority of critical care patients to deliver intravenous (IV) fluids and medications, and for haemodynamic monitoring. The goal is for CVADs to be used until the end of the required treatment, without complications that restrict/prevent device use, or trigger device removal and insertion of a replacement device. Such complications can be mechanical (for example, blockage, dislodgement, vein thrombosis, CVAD rupture), or infective (for example, local or bloodstream infections)1. Such device failures reduce patient satisfaction, prolong hospitalisation, increase health care costs and impact mortality2-4.